Kodi box crackdown continues as free film streams may be wiped out

More signals that the free TV revolution might be coming to an end

PIRATES who use a Roku box to watch sport have received a telling off from the manufacturer and a warning that they may block the illegal stream imminently.

Roku sticks, more commonly known as Kodi boxes, allow you to watch digital programming on your telly (like iPlayer, Netflix or Amazon Prime).

But owners who have been using it to try and watch films and sports illegally have been met with warning messages.

Pirates would typically install private TV channels onto the boxes - like TVAddons, for example.

Roku is now sending a message to anyone who tries to add on illegal streams to their box that they might pull it offline.

They said they will block these channels because they do not abide by its terms and conditions.

According to TorrentFreak, the message reportedly reads: "THIS IS A NON-CERTIFIED CHANNEL.

"Roku requires all channels to abide by Roku's terms and conditions and distribute only legal content.
"Roku does not test or review non-certified channels."By continuing, you acknowledge you are accessing a non-certified channel that may include content that is offensive or inappropriate for some audiences.

"Moreover, if Roku determines that this channel violates copyright, contains illegal content or otherwise Roku's terms and conditions, then Roku may remove this channel without prior notice."

Online traders are still trying to flog Kodi boxes on sites like eBay with the promise customers can watch live sports for free – despite a Premier League blackout.

Earlier this year, the Premier League was granted a court order which allowed them to shut down streaming of football matches by blocking internet servers that provide them.

If the first weekend of the season is anything to go by, the court order is proving to be effective.

At least three paid-for IPTV (Internet Protocol television services) were affected over the weekend.

And today on eBay dozens of sellers were still selling Kodi boxes.

The auction giant has banned traders using phrases like “fully loaded” and plugging the fact that the boxes can access Sky sports and movie channels for free.
But sellers are still tempting buyers with the promise of access to paid-for content for the price of a box.
One UK trader with a £84.99 box boasted: “This is THE only box to have a... tired of paying costly subscriptions? This box comes pre-loaded with tons of KODI addons (channels if you will) and allows you to stream any content available on the internet straight to your TV via WIFI from your router.

“Plug the included HDMI lead to your TV , power on , and embrace a world of latest movies , TV box sets, free global sports , live TV , adult ... The sky really is the limit!”
The same trader also had a £42,99 box and said: “WATCH LATEST MOVIES TV SPORTS FILMS FREE NO SUBSCRIPTION SKY IS THE LIMIT! KODI.”
Yet another person offering an Amazon Firestick with a Kodi account for £80 promised: “Live Football STREAMS that are not on cable boxes (Including all 3pm premier league Kickoff's and more matches).”